Your Adventure Awaits
Domains of the Primates
Uganda
A journey through Uganda is a rhythmic passage through the very soul of the African continent, where the morning mist of Kibale Forest dissolves into the exuberant chatter of chimpanzees swinging through an ancient emerald canopy. From the primal, shadowed depths of Bwindi, where the breath-holding silence of a mountain gorilla encounter feels like a sacred communion with the past, the landscape ruptures into the golden, sun-drenched savannahs of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a theater of lions prowling beneath the watchful gaze of the Rwenzori peaks. The expedition finds its exhilarating crescendo in Jinja, where the legendary Nile uncoils from its source in a sapphire rush of white-water power, weaving together a tapestry of raw adrenaline and profound stillness that captures the untamed heartbeat of the "Pearl of Africa."
Nature & Wildlife
Distant Frontiers
Price On Request
When To Go?
Dec to February during the short dry season and June to September for the long dry season offers the most comfortable conditions for gorilla trekking and least malaria risk while game viewing in the savannah are best towards the end of the two dry seasons when wildlife are concentrated around the watering holes.
Highlights
Accommodations
Authenticity, a mission to serve both in hospitality and in conservation are the hallmarks of lodges in Uganda where educational attributes rank high in the awareness of Uganda's endangered wildlife.
Experiences
Says it all when we are in the land of the primates, humans' closest cousins. Impactful stories and anecdotes of conservation, early challenges since the days of the great and late Jane Goodall. Finally, this is likely the third chapter in a safari connoisseur's African exploration.
Wildlife Highlights
Uganda is the domain of the apes and especially the mountain gorillas. But beyond the primates, Uganda offers a smorgasbord of amazing wildlife viewing, dramatic landscapes and astonishing geography. From the imposing-sounding Bwindi Impenetrable National Park - home to the mountain gorillas to the majestic Murchison Falls. From the game rich Lake Mburo National Park to awe-inspiring eden that is the Queen Elizabeth National Park with some of the Africa's best game-viewing experiences. This is Uganda!
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive Entebbe
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Arriving Entebbe International Airport, you will be met as we transfer to the No. 5 Boutique Hotel, where you will spend the night. Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is a charming town known for its serene atmosphere and welcoming hospitality. Once the colonial administrative center of Uganda, it now serves as the gateway to the country, linking international travelers to the country’s spectacular landscapes and wildlife.
DAY 2: Entebbe / Murchison Falls National Park
After a rejuvenated rest, we return to Entebbe Airport where we board our light aircraft, arriving at Bungungu OR Pakuba in the afternoon as we make our way to the Nile Safari Lodge, nestled on the southern banks of the Nile River in the heart of the Murchison Falls National Park where we will spend two nights in the spectacular surroundings.
This late afternoon, we will embark on a game drive where we experience the wildlife diversity including elephants, lions and the iconic Shoebill Stork.
DAY 3: Murchison Falls National Park
The morning begins with a game drive on a scenic journey through savanna, Borassus palm forest, and grasslands, down to Lake Albert, where the Albert Nile flows north. Drive through the open African savanna in search of lions, leopards, hyenas, buffalos, elephants, Jackson’s hartebeests, oribis, waterbucks, and Uganda kobs. Delight in spotting various bird species, such as the secretary bird, black-chested snake eagle, tawny and martial eagles, carmine bee-eaters, swallow-tailed bee-eaters, and many more.
In the late morning, enjoy brunch at the top of the falls with the most incredible views of the Murchison Falls before we board the Nile Spirit in the afternoon for a boat cruise to the bottom of Murchison Falls, experiencing the might of the powerful falls with a drop of 45m down the "Devil's Cauldron".
DAY 4: Murchison Falls National Park / Kibale Forest National Park
We have another morning for another game drive in Murchison Falls National Park or embark to the Nile River Delta for more exceptional encounters with the shy and endangered Shoebill Stork.
Later in the afternoon, we will depart to Pakuba for our light aircraft journey to Kasese, passing through scenic tea plantations along the way to Kibale Forest National Park, sitting at an elevation ranging from 1,100 to 1,600m above sea level. Arrive at the Kibale Lodge. Opened in 2024, the lodge sits on a ridge with stunning views of the Rwenzori Mountains towards the west and the Queen Elizabeth plains and the Kazinga channel to the south.
DAY 5: Kibale Forest National Park
Today, we will track Kibale Forest National Park’s most famous inhabitants — the chimpanzees. With over 1,450 individuals protected within the park, Kibale Forest is home to Uganda’s largest population of endangered chimpanzees. It also shelters the threatened red colobus monkey and the rare L’Hoest’s monkey. The forest boasts one of the highest diversities and densities of primates in Africa, with 13 species, including the black-and-white colobus, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, bush babies, and pottos.
In the afternoon, following your chimpanzee tracking experience, you can enjoy a guided walk through the swamps of Bigodi, a haven for biodiversity. After this fascinating excursion, you have the option to unwind at the lodge or engage in a community walk through a nearby village. Alternatively, you can visit a local school to interact with students and teachers and even participate in lessons.
DAY 6: Kibale Forest National Park / Queen Elizabeth National Park
We have another morning for chimpanzee tracking and thereafter, a 2 hours' drive south takes us past Lake George and subsequently the Kazinga Channel, crossing the equator in the process as we arrive at the Kyambura Gorge Lodge, which sits on the edge of the magical Kyambura Gorge, a sunken rainforest and home to the ‘Lost Chimps of Kyambura’ in the renowned Queen Elizabeth National Park, named after the Queen of England, with sweeping views of the rolling savanna and the distant Rwenzori Mountains.
DAY 7: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Start your day with an early morning game drive. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to over 100 mammal species, including lions, hippos, buffaloes, leopards, spotted hyenas, elephants, and the elusive giant forest hog. The park also hosts a variety of primates, such as chimpanzees, black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, and the black-faced red colobus. After the game drive, return to the lodge for some relaxation.
In the afternoon, enjoy a scheduled boat ride on the Kazinga Channel. Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts one of the highest biodiversity ratings of any game park, featuring habitats that range from open savannah and rainforests to dense papyrus swamps, crater lakes, and the vast expanse of Lake Edward.
DAY 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park / Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
We depart this morning for a 6 hours' drive south to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Bwindi Impenetrable Forest on the rim of the Rift Valley. The hillsides which are mist-covered are sheltered by one of the ancient and very biologically varied rainforests in Uganda that dates back to more than 25,000 years, comprising of about 400 varied plant species. More notably, this “impenetrable forest” in addition protects an estimated 320 individual mountain gorillas – approximately half of the population in the world.
By the mid afternoon, we will arrive at the Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, set on a forested ridge 2,000m above sea level near the entrance to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Over the next 3 nights, this will be your gateway and access to the endangered mountain gorillas.
DAY 9 & 10: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
This is it! This is what we have been waiting for. After breakfast, we drive to the Buhoma sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and after a briefing, you will be allocated to your group in a maximum of 8 members, accompanied by armed park rangers. The trekking lasts between 2 - 6 hours depending* on where the gorillas spent their previous night. Upon sighting of the gorillas, you will be permitted to spend an hour with these majestic primates. The mountain gorilla is the largest of all living primates, with adults weighing between 135 and 220kg. These gentle giants inhabit dense rainforests, bamboo forests, and subalpine grasslands. Herbivores by nature, they forage for a variety of plants, herbs, and succulents.
Gorillas are incredibly social creatures, living in family groups of up to 40 individuals, typically led by a dominant silverback. This alpha male, named for the distinctive silver stripe of hair on his back, serves as the leader, protector, and primary decision-maker of the group. He is often joined by a subordinate silverback to help defend the family, several adult females, and a mix of younger males (blackbacks), juveniles, and infants.
DAY 11: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest / Entebbe
An incredible journey through Uganda wraps up as we transfer to Kisoro airstrip for your light aircraft return to Entebbe. On arrival, transfer to the No.5 Boutique Hotel.
DAY 12: Departure Entebbe
We transfer to Entebbe International Airport today for your international flight return home.
